Retaining apparatus for pet waste pad

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for retaining a liquid-absorptive sheet includes a base member, a securing member and at least one clip. The base member has a bottom layer and an upstanding wall, with the bottom layer and the upstanding wall defining a reservoir. The securing member includes an upper surface and two depending legs for receiving the upstanding wall of the base member. The absorptive sheet is removably secured at at least portions of its periphery between the base member and the securing member to hold the absorptive sheet against the bottom layer of the base member. At least one end of the absorptive sheet extends over at least a portion of the upstanding wall. The clip connects the securing member to the base member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/537,871, filed Mar. 29, 2000, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/154,860, filed Sep. 16, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No.6,059,247.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an apparatus for securelyretaining absorbent sheets or pads for use in collecting and disposingof pet wastes. In particular, the present invention relates to a devicefor securely retaining a disposable, absorbent sheet in a leakproofreservoir.

[0005] 2. Description of Related Art

[0006] Many devices have been proposed to aid in housebreaking of petsand, in particular, dogs. When indoors, it is desirable for the pets tourinate and defecate at a single, predetermined location. Severalmethods and devices have been proposed to provide a disposable wastecollector at the predetermined location.

[0007] Traditionally, newspapers have been laid on the floor for a dog'suse. Although newspapers are absorbent, unrestrained newspapers caneasily scatter when exposed to drafts or can be scattered or torn by aplayful or destructive animal. Another drawback of newspapers is thatthey readily leak through to the floor surface upon which they are laid.

[0008] To eliminate the leaking problem, several absorbent pads havebeen proposed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,626,899; 4,800,677; and 5,630,376 alldescribe collection pads including at least one layer of absorbentmaterial and a backing layer of material that is impervious to fluid soas to preclude urine from leaking through the pad to the surface of thefloor. However, although these devices can preclude fluid leakage, whenunrestrained, they, too, can be readily scattered or torn by drafts orpets.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,673 proposes a chamber pot for pets in whicha water-absorptive sheet can be laid over a soil bed surrounded byperipheral walls. The water-absorptive sheet is drawn out of a roll, cutand laid on the soil bed. A presser frame hinged to the soil bed is thenlowered and engaged with a locking device. The bottom face of thepresser frame presses and clamps the periphery of the sheet placed onthe soil bed. However, the chamber pot requires a complicated structurein order to retain the absorptive sheet in a tray. This can lead tohigher costs and a complicated manufacturing process. Further, becausethere is only a single line of peripheral contact between the presserframe and the periphery of the absorptive sheet, a pet can readilydislodge the absorptive sheet from the frame.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,320 relates to a sanitary receptacle foranimal waste that is formed of three concentric hoops and a sheet ofthin flexible material, such as newspaper. The newspaper is spread overthe inner hoop and then captured in an annular space between the innerand center hoops when the center hoop is placed over the inner hoop.This assembly is then inverted and the outer hoop is pushed over thenewspaper and the center hoop, thereby capturing the newspaper betweenthe center and outer hoops. However, in this device nothing is disposedbetween the newspaper and the floor, so animal waste can leak through tothe floor surface. Further, assembly of the device is complex, requiringmultiple steps to secure the newspaper within the three hoops.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide aleakproof apparatus for securely and reliably retaining a disposable,absorptive sheet for receiving pet waste matter.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide alow-cost apparatus of simple design and ease of manufacture for securelyretaining such disposable, absorptive sheets.

[0013] It is still another object of the present invention to provide aneasily-assembled apparatus for securely retaining such disposable,absorptive sheets.

[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide adevice for securely retaining such disposable, absorptive sheets and forpreventing the sheets from being dislodged or damaged by the pet.

[0015] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, anapparatus for retaining a liquid-absorptive sheet includes a basemember, a securing member and at least one clip. The base member has abottom layer and an upstanding wall, with the bottom layer and theupstanding wall defining a reservoir. The securing member includes anupper surface and two depending legs for receiving the upstanding wallof the base member. The absorptive sheet is removably secured at atleast portions of its periphery between the base member and the securingmember to hold the absorptive sheet against the bottom layer of the basemember. At least one end of the absorptive sheet extends over at least aportion of the upstanding wall. The clip connects the securing member tothe base member.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, anapparatus for retaining a liquid-absorptive sheet includes base means,securing means and connection means. The base means receives theabsorptive sheet. The securing means secures the absorptive sheetbetween the base means and the securing means, with the securing meansestablishing at least two areas of peripheral pressure contact along atleast portions of the periphery of the absorptive sheet. The connectionmeans connects the securing means to the base means.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, anapparatus for retaining a liquid-absorptive sheet includes base means,securing means and connection means. The base means receives theabsorptive sheet, with the base means including a bottom layer and anupstanding wall. The securing means engages the base means and securesthe absorptive sheet between the base means and the securing means. Thesecuring means includes an upper surface and two depending legs, withthe absorptive sheet being removably secured at at least portions of itsperiphery between the base means and the securing means to hold theabsorptive sheet against the bottom layer of the base means. At leastone end of the absorptive sheet extends over at least a portion of theupstanding wall. The connection means connects the securing means to thebase means.

[0018] According to still another aspect of the present invention, anapparatus for retaining a liquid-absorptive sheet includes a basemember, a securing member and at least one clip. The base memberreceives the absorptive sheet, with the base member including anupstanding wall along its periphery. The securing member includes arecessed wall for receiving the upstanding wall of the base member andsecuring the absorptive sheet between the securing member and the basemember, with the securing member establishing at least two areas ofperipheral pressure contact along at least portions of the periphery ofthe absorptive sheet. The clip connects the securing member to the basemember.

[0019] The above, and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will be apparent from the following detaileddescription of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the base member of the retainingapparatus of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the retaining frame of the retainingapparatus of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled retainingapparatus of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the components of theretaining apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the grid accessory of the retainingapparatus of one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025]FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modification of theretaining apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the retaining assembly of thepresent invention includes a base member 10 and a retaining frame 20 forretaining an absorbent sheet or pad 30. Base member 10 includes fourupstanding walls 12 that are connected to a bottom layer 14. Walls 12and bottom layer 14 form a liquid impermeable reservoir or tray forretaining liquid. The exterior peripheral surfaces 16 of upstandingwalls 12 are optionally concave in cross-section as shown in FIG. 3. Theconcave surfaces 16 aid in securing retaining frame 20 to base member10, as will become more apparent.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment, base member 10 is rectangular, butthe present invention is not limited to this particular shape. Anygeometric or freeform shape can be used. A rectangular shape ispreferred, however, because when newspaper is used as the absorbentmaterial, the retaining assembly can take advantage of the typicallyrectangular shape of newspaper to efficiently use the entire surface ofthe newspaper. Also, many disposable absorbent pads on the market foruse in collecting animal wastes are also rectangular in shape. Moreover,a rectangular-shaped assembly can be conveniently placed in any cornerof a room.

[0028] Base member 10 can be formed of any material that is imperviousto fluid. Non-porous materials are preferred for sanitary reasonsbecause they can be easily cleaned. Preferably, the base member isformed of plastic with walls 12 and bottom layer 14 being integrallyformed. If desired, an anti-skid material can be placed on the bottomsurface of base member 10 to keep it from sliding across the floor.Also, the upper surface of bottom layer 14 can be textured, so the petwill not slip, and include ridges 17 to help grip absorbent pad 30.

[0029] The dimensions of the retaining assembly are not limited. In thepreferred embodiment, the base member is 17.5×19.5 inches, andupstanding walls 12 are about 1 inch high. It has been found that thisparticular size can comfortably accommodate puppies of average size andsmaller adult dogs, such as those of the toy group or under about 20pounds.

[0030] Retaining frame 20 is of a shape similar to bottom tray 10,namely, rectangular, in the preferred embodiment. Retaining frame 20 isalso of substantially the same size as the base member 10. In thepreferred embodiment, retaining frame 20 includes four sides 22. Asshown more clearly in FIG. 3, each side 22 generally has an identicalcross-section with an upper surface 24 and two legs depending therefrom,an interior depending leg 26 and an exterior depending leg 28. Thus, thecross-section of each side of retaining frame 20 is substantiallyC-shaped.

[0031] The C-shaped design of retaining frame 20 is sized to receivewalls 12 of base member 10 in a compression fit. In particular, thedistance between interior leg 26 and exterior leg 28 should beapproximately equal to or slightly less than the width of wall 12 ofbase member 10. Thus, when retaining frame 20 is pressed into engagementwith base member 10, the compression fit will be established betweenlegs 26, 28 of the sides 22 of retaining frame 20 and walls 12 of basemember 10.

[0032] Preferably, retaining frame 20 is formed of a flexible material,thereby enabling legs 26, 28 to resiliently engage walls 12. Forexample, retaining frame 20 can be formed of a plastic material similarto that forming base member 10. Exterior leg 28 can include acompression lip 29 at its free end for defining a rigid line of contactbetween exterior legs 28 of sides 22 of retaining frame 20 and theexterior surfaces of walls 12 of base member 10. Compression lip 29 alsocan seat in the center of the concave surfaces 16 of upstanding walls 12of base member 10 so as to lock retaining frame 20 onto base member 10.

[0033] In place of, or in addition to, the compression fit betweenretaining frame 20 and base member 10, one or more retaining clips canbe provided on retaining frame 20 or base member 10. In the shownembodiment, a pair of retaining clips 25 are provided on opposite endsof retaining frame 20 for engaging recesses or openings 15 in basemember 10. Each clip 25 is preferably hinged to retaining frame 20 asshown in FIG. 6 so as to be rotatable about hinge 25 a. Each clip 25further includes a pawl 25 b for engaging recess 15. In particular, whenclip 25 is rotated from its solid line position in the direction of thearrow shown in FIG. 6, pawl 25 b is forced through opening 15 to engagean inner wall of upstanding wall 12. Clip 25 thus latches retainingframe 20 onto base member 10. This latching can be the sole means ofconnection between retaining frame 20 and base member 10 or can be usedin conjunction with the compression fit between the two elements as aprimary or secondary connection.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the shape of upstanding walls 12 of basemember 10 and the shape of retaining frame 20 need not be rectilinear.As shown in FIG. 6, their shapes can be curved.

[0035] When retaining frame 20 is secured onto base member 10, severalareas of peripheral pressure contact are established. Each area ofperipheral pressure contact applies substantially equal pressure along alinear area, substantially along the entire periphery of base member 10.In particular, four areas of peripheral pressure contact can beestablished between the edges of interior legs 26 and bottom layer 14,between the inside surfaces of legs 26 and interior sides of walls 12,between the underside of upper surfaces 24 and the top surfaces of walls12 and between compression lip 29 and the outer concave surfaces 16 ofwalls 12.

[0036] The retaining assembly of the present invention can be used toretain any type of absorbent sheet materials 30, including newspapersand well-known waste collection pads, such as pads marketed under thetrade name WEE-WEE PADS. The absorbent sheets or pads can be appliedwith a scent attractive to dogs to encourage use of the assembly orcontain material for absorbing the odors from pet waste.

[0037] In assembling the retaining apparatus of the present invention,base member 10 is first laid on the floor. Absorbent sheet 30, such asnewspaper or a waste collection pad, is laid on base member 10 such thatthe periphery of the absorbent sheet or pad 30 overlies walls 12equally. That is, the absorbent sheet or pad is centered on base member10. Retaining frame 20 is then aligned with base member 10, withabsorptive sheet or pad 30 disposed therebetween, and firmly pressedalong its periphery to engage legs 26, 28 with walls 12 of base member10. If retaining clips 25 are used, they are engaged with recesses 15 ofbase member 10.

[0038] When base member 10 and retaining frame 20 are attached,absorbent sheet or pad 30 is forced into the shape shown more clearly inFIG. 3. In particular, the central portion of the absorbent sheet or padis forced against bottom layer 14 of base member 10 in a substantiallyflat manner by the free edges of interior legs 26 of retaining frame 20.At least portions of the perimeter of the absorbent sheet or pad 30 issecurely trapped between walls 12 of base member 10 and retaining frame20 at the multiple areas of peripheral pressure contact. By establishingmultiple peripheral areas of pressure contact, namely, two to four inthe preferred embodiments, absorbent sheet or pad 30 is securelyretained within the retaining assembly of the present invention.

[0039] The assembled retaining assembly is positioned at a predeterminedlocation in a room. The pet is then encouraged to walk onto theretaining assembly and relieve itself on the absorbent pad. Although allwaste liquids are intended to be absorbed by the absorbent sheet or pad,any leakage that may occur will be retained by the reservoir of basemember 10 and not soil the floor. To remove a soiled absorbent sheet orpad, base member 10 is grasped and retaining frame 20 is pulled off ofthe base member. If retaining clips 25 are provided, they are unclippedfrom base member 10 before retaining frame 20 is pulled off of the basemember. The soiled sheet can then be lifted off of base member 10 anddiscarded, and a fresh sheet mounted in its place.

[0040] If the absorbent sheets or pads 30 are left exposed on theretaining assembly, the pet may tear the material with its claws orteeth. Placing a grate within the retaining assembly and over theabsorbent sheet or pad can protect the sheet or pad, but its unevensurface may discourage the pet from standing on and utilizing theassembly. Accordingly, another feature of the present invention is toprovide a thin, flexible protective grid or mesh 40, as shown in FIG. 5,for placement over absorbent sheets or pads 30.

[0041] Preferably, protective grid 40 is formed of a material durableenough to withstand scratching by a pet's claws, yet sufficiently softor thin as not to be uncomfortable to a pet standing thereon. Examplesof such materials include nylons, Teflon® or thin yet strong metallicmesh. Protective grid 40 is preferably of the same size as absorbentsheets or pads 30 and can be placed over an absorbent sheet or padbefore retaining frame 20 is positioned over base member 10. Thus,protective grid 40 can be retained in the retaining assembly in the samemanner as the absorbent sheets or pads 30. Although protective grid 40is intended to be reused and cleaned when desired, if worn out it canalso be disposed of along with a soiled absorbent sheet or pad.

[0042] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention havebeen described herein in connection with the accompanying drawings, itis to be understood that this invention is not limited to theseembodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effectedtherein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for retaining a liquid-absorptive sheet, saidapparatus comprising: a base member having a bottom layer and anupstanding wall, said bottom layer and said upstanding wall defining areservoir; a securing member comprising an upper surface and twodepending legs for receiving said upstanding wall of said base member,the absorptive sheet being removably secured at at least portions of itsperiphery between said base member and said securing member to hold theabsorptive sheet against the bottom layer of said base member, whereinat least one end of the absorptive sheet extends over at least a portionof the upstanding wall; and at least one clip for connecting saidsecuring member to said base member.
 2. An apparatus according to claim1 , wherein said clip is hinged to said securing member and is rotatableinto engagement with a recess in said base member.
 3. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 , wherein said securing member holds the absorptivesheet flat against the bottom layer of said base member.
 4. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 , wherein the perimeters of said base member andsaid securing member are rectangular.
 5. An apparatus according to claim1 , further comprising a flexible protective grid secured between saidbase member and said securing member on the absorptive sheet.
 6. Anapparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said two depending legs of saidsecuring member include an exterior depending leg and an interiordepending leg, and said exterior depending leg includes a compressionlip at its lower edge, said compression lip projecting toward saidinterior depending leg and defining a line of contact along theperimeter of the absorptive sheet.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said securing member and said base member establish at leasttwo areas of peripheral pressure contact along at least portions of theperiphery of the absorptive sheet.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said two depending legs of said securing member include anexterior depending leg and an interior depending leg, and areas ofperipheral pressure contact are established between said upstanding wallof said base member and said exterior depending leg, said interiordepending leg and said upper surface of said securing member.
 9. Anapparatus for retaining a liquid-absorptive sheet, said apparatuscomprising: base means for receiving the absorptive sheet; securingmeans for securing the absorptive sheet between said base means and saidsecuring means, said securing means establishing at least two areas ofperipheral pressure contact along at least portions of the periphery ofthe absorptive sheet; and connection means for connecting said securingmeans to said base means.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9 ,wherein said securing means establishes at least three areas ofperipheral pressure contact along at least the portions of the peripheryof the absorptive sheet.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 9 , whereinsaid securing means establishes at least four areas of peripheralpressure contact along at least portions of the periphery of theabsorptive sheet.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein saidbase means defines a reservoir for retaining fluid.
 13. An apparatusaccording to claim 9 , wherein said securing means holds the absorptivesheet flat against a bottom surface of said base means.
 14. An apparatusaccording to claim 9 , wherein the perimeters of said base means andsaid securing means are rectangular.
 15. An apparatus according to claim9 , further comprising a flexible protective grid secured between saidbase means and said securing means on the absorptive sheet.
 16. Anapparatus for retaining a liquid-absorptive sheet, said apparatuscomprising: base means for receiving the absorptive sheet, said basemeans including a bottom layer and an upstanding wall; securing meansfor engaging said base means and securing the absorptive sheet betweensaid base means and said securing means, said securing means comprisingan upper surface and two depending legs, the absorptive sheet beingremovably secured at at least portions of its periphery between saidbase means and said securing means to hold the absorptive sheet againstthe bottom layer of said base means, wherein at least one end of theabsorptive sheet extends over at least a portion of the upstanding wall;and connection means for connecting said securing means to said basemeans.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein said base meansdefines a reservoir.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 16 , whereinsaid securing means holds the absorptive sheet flat against the bottomsurface of said base means.
 19. An apparatus according to claim 16 ,wherein the perimeters of said base means and said securing means arerectangular.
 20. An apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprisinga flexible protective grid secured between said base means and saidsecuring means on the absorbent sheet.
 21. An apparatus according toclaim 16 , wherein said securing means and said base means establish atleast two areas of peripheral pressure contact along at least portionsof the periphery of the absorptive sheet.
 22. An apparatus for retaininga liquid-absorptive sheet, said apparatus comprising: a base member forreceiving the absorptive sheet, said base member including an upstandingwall along its periphery; a securing member including a recessed wallfor receiving said upstanding wall of said base member and securing theabsorptive sheet between said securing member and said base member, saidsecuring member establishing at least two areas of peripheral pressurecontact along at least portions of the periphery of the absorptivesheet; and at least one clip for connecting said securing member to saidbase member.
 23. An apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein said clipis hinged to said securing member and is rotatable into engagement witha recess in said base member.
 24. An apparatus according to claim 22 ,wherein said securing member establishes at least three areas ofperipheral pressure contact along at least the portions of the peripheryof the absorptive sheet.
 25. An apparatus according to claim 22 ,wherein said securing member establishes at least four areas ofperipheral pressure contact along at least portions of the periphery ofthe absorptive sheet.
 26. An apparatus according to claim 22 , whereinsaid base member further comprises a bottom layer cooperating with saidupstanding wall to define a reservoir for retaining fluid.
 27. Anapparatus according to claim 26 , wherein said securing member holds theabsorptive sheet flat against said bottom layer of said base member. 28.An apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the perimeters of said basemember and said securing member are rectangular.
 29. An apparatusaccording to claim 21 , further comprising a flexible protective gridsecured between said base member and said securing member on theabsorbent sheet.